By Ghazali Ibrahim
A fresh legal setback has hit the African Democratic Congress (ADC) after the Federal High Court in Abuja sacked the Senator David Mark-led leadership of the party and nullified all decisions taken by its caretaker committee, including the nomination of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar as its presidential candidate for the 2027 general elections.
The judgment was delivered on Thursday by Justice Peter Lifu, who declared the Mark-led caretaker committee illegal.
The court also upheld the claims of Nafiu Bala Gombe, a former National Deputy Chairman of the ADC, who challenged the process through which Mark and other members of the caretaker committee assumed control of the party.
Gombe had approached the court following the resignation of the party’s former National Chairman, Ralph Nwosu, arguing that he was constitutionally entitled to take over the party’s leadership as the remaining National Vice-Chairman.
He consequently asked the court to nullify the emergence of Mark and other members of the caretaker leadership, including National Secretary Rauf Aregbesola.
The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1819/2025, listed the ADC, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mark, Aregbesola and Nwosu as defendants.
In its ruling, the court granted the plaintiff’s reliefs, effectively invalidating the actions taken by the Mark-led leadership.
Among the affected decisions is the party’s presidential primary that produced Atiku as its flag bearer for the 2027 election.
Atiku had earlier been listed by INEC as the ADC’s presidential candidate and had commenced political activities ahead of the election. He had also selected former Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, as his running mate.
However, the latest judgment has thrown the party’s presidential ticket into uncertainty, with its implications for the ADC’s participation in the forthcoming election likely to generate further legal and political developments.
Reacting to the judgment, the ADC’s National Welfare Secretary, Nkemakolam Ukandu, said the party would challenge the decision at the appellate court.
The development comes barely 24 hours after Atiku held a campaign rally in Sokoto State as part of his efforts to mobilise support ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
The ruling adds to the leadership crisis that has engulfed the opposition party, which has become a platform for political activities ahead of the next general elections.
